Welcome to the DAV Website
The DAV is a non-profit association which exists to promote debate. It
is the peak debating body in Victoria and runs large competitions for
adults and for schools across Victoria. It provides training and
resources for debaters, teachers and adjudicators.

The 2019 Junior Secondary Program

For more details and a copy of the schedule, the 2019 Information Pack is available here.

About the Program

The Junior Secondary Program (JSP) is an introduction to debating for junior secondary students in years 7 and 8 who have not participated in the DAV Schools Competition. The program is designed to provide training in the basic skills and structure of debating whilst also giving students an opportunity to participate in three 'friendly' inter-school debates.

The JSP runs over four evenings in Terms 3/4 in various regions throughout Victoria. The training component of the program includes:

Introductory training

DAV trainers will introduce students to the art of persuasion and look at how debates work. Students will learn how to formulate arguments, how to define topics, and the role of each speaker in a debate.

Skills workshops

The best way to consolidate skills is with interactive activities, so the training component includes various games and workshops in smaller groups after the introductory training.

Demonstration debate

DAV adjudicators will act as debaters in an exhibition debate, showcasing high quality speeches to provide practical examples of what the students are taught.

Rebuttal seminars

After students have participated in an actual debate, they will take part in an extension training session in which they will work with trainers to discuss the role of rebuttal and different ways of approaching it.

Extended adjudication

Following the final debate, adjudicators will spend extra time giving feedback to students which aims to consolidate the skills learnt in the training component of the program.